Lane ranger: Congestion south of Belleview to be reviewed

Published: Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 9:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 9:26 p.m.

R.A. Lester asked about a remedy to congestion at the intersection of Sunset Harbor Road and U.S. 441 south of Belleview. Lester lives in Edgewater Estates, near the intersection.

“There have been a large number of fatal accidents at this intersection for the following reason: There are no left turn arrows for those of us wishing to go left onto US 441 from Sunset Harbor Road or from the other direction at Village View Church,” Lester noted.

This is a heavily congested area at several times of the day. On the east side of the intersection are several housing developments and on the west side is Village View Community Church and Harbor View Elementary School, plus all the traffic coming in from US 301 down the road past the school and church to get to 441, Lester said.

“It is very dangerous trying to turn left from either side. The traffic lights are OK for those turning left while on U.S. 441, but for those poor people trying to turn left from Sunset Harbor Road, it is a nightmare. Many cars just dodge across hoping for the best. It is a free for all,” Lester wrote.

The issue was referred to Marion County and state road officials.

Marion County traffic engineer Bart Ciambella emailed this reply:

“FDOT is going to study this intersection and we will collaborate with them and defer to their study. We have reviewed the accidents, although dated 2007-2010, and noted only a few possible preventable accidents with the additional delay.”

“We share the citizen’s concern and will evaluate whether a left turn arrow can be justified for eastbound motorists on SE 147th Place/Sunset Harbor Road. It is unlikely we will consider a left turn arrow for westbound Sunset Harbor Road because there is not a dedicated left turn lane. Regarding safety, fortunately our crash data base does not reveal a crash history related to left turns from either side street, but the concerns stated by the constituent warrants review by the FDOT.”

<p>R.A. Lester asked about a remedy to congestion at the intersection of Sunset Harbor Road and U.S. 441 south of Belleview. Lester lives in Edgewater Estates, near the intersection.</p><p>“There have been a large number of fatal accidents at this intersection for the following reason: There are no left turn arrows for those of us wishing to go left onto US 441 from Sunset Harbor Road or from the other direction at Village View Church,” Lester noted.</p><p>This is a heavily congested area at several times of the day. On the east side of the intersection are several housing developments and on the west side is Village View Community Church and Harbor View Elementary School, plus all the traffic coming in from US 301 down the road past the school and church to get to 441, Lester said.</p><p>“It is very dangerous trying to turn left from either side. The traffic lights are OK for those turning left while on U.S. 441, but for those poor people trying to turn left from Sunset Harbor Road, it is a nightmare. Many cars just dodge across hoping for the best. It is a free for all,” Lester wrote.</p><p>The issue was referred to Marion County and state road officials.</p><p>Marion County traffic engineer Bart Ciambella emailed this reply:</p><p>“FDOT is going to study this intersection and we will collaborate with them and defer to their study. We have reviewed the accidents, although dated 2007-2010, and noted only a few possible preventable accidents with the additional delay.”</p><p>Florida Department of Transportation District Five/East-Central Florida Region public information manager Steve Olson also replied by email:</p><p>“We share the citizen's concern and will evaluate whether a left turn arrow can be justified for eastbound motorists on SE 147th Place/Sunset Harbor Road. It is unlikely we will consider a left turn arrow for westbound Sunset Harbor Road because there is not a dedicated left turn lane. Regarding safety, fortunately our crash data base does not reveal a crash history related to left turns from either side street, but the concerns stated by the constituent warrants review by the FDOT.”</p>